But there was no doubt who was the focus of the trip. And in case the British media hadn't appreciated the message, Lieberman, who was the vice presidential candidate for the Democrats in 2000, was happy to help with the with public relations.

"We are now succeeding in Iraq and Americans at least, I believe are in significant numbers agreeing that the present strategy of the surge is succeeding and they want us to succeed," McCain said.

You need friends at the top, so , despite reporters' encouragements, he didn't repeat his earlier criticism of the British pullout from the Iraqi city of Basra to the airport. That, he said, was up to the British.

Instead he praised Brown's record on green issues and presented himself as the optimistic environmentalist:

"I am convinced that if we work at it, we will convince India and China that it is in their interests to be part of a global agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," the Arizona Republican said.

McCain, anxious to cover all bases, met others in Britain, including British opposition leader David Cameron.

But practicalities were covered too, like a $1000-a-head fund raising lunch -- not open to the media -- at historic Spencer House. After all there will be more travel expenses to meet.E-mail to a friend